Page 54: of Offshore Engineer Magazine (Aug/Sep 2014)

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Drilling

The Meta liner tieback connects the liner to a tieback receptacle built into the previously run casing string.

Delivering tieback integrity to the surface for as long as possible. operator will ensure that the company in the North Sea

The liner tieback was installed on remains fully compliant with current

A Meta liner tieback, which uses a 9-5/8in. liner, allowing the operator regulations; overcomes limited IDs in

Metalmorphology metal-to-metal morph- to drill multiple sections below, while casing strings to achieve high load bear- ing technology, was recently installed by keeping the 13-5/8in. casing above the ing capabilities; allows asset teams to a North Sea operator. liner open for as long as possible. plan for drilling deeper; and provides

By morphing metal, the Meta liner Meta successfully ran the liner tieback fexibility of space out.

tieback connects the liner to a tieback to 3000m depth. It was deployed through

Conclusion receptacle built into the previously run a 65° build section and successfully set

For too long, well integrity has been casing string. The result is a fully in 15ppg oil-based muds and at 70°C. defned by a reactive approach and the lim- compliant V0 ISO14310 certifed metal- The result was a life of well, gas-tight itations of current well planning and inter- to-metal connection with no reduction connection that extends the envelope for vention technologies. Metalmorphology is in internal diameter (ID) and no reliance well construction and delivers tieback providing a new way of working. on elastomers, capable of offering full integrity over the lifetime of the well. integrity for the lifetime of the well. The operator beneftted from improved

The durability of the metal-to-metal control over the well, reduced rig costs Mark Rivenbark is seal enables the liner tieback to oper- and non-productive time, faster drilling VP Global Sales at ate at pressures of up to 13,500psi at and earlier revenue, and proftable and Meta. He has over 25 temperatures of 320°F and with an axial productive wells for the life of the feld. years’ experience in load bearing capability of up to six mil- the oil and gas

Strengthening well architecture in lion lbs, making it ideal for deepwater industry, having the Gulf of Mexico challenges. It can be installed faster than begun his career on other methods. A series of Meta tieback systems are due Alaska’s North Slope

On the North Sea application, the feld to be installed in a deepwater Gulf of as a completions engineer. Rivenbark came with drilling and well architecture Mexico feld. The operating temperature previously worked for Dresser Industries, challenges that were preventing comple- will be 120°C and, once the tieback is Halliburton, and Enventure Global tions. One particular challenge was installed, the deployment depth 10,000ft. Technology in various sales, technical, equivalent circulating density (ECD), Hydrostatic pressure at this depth will and management positions. He majored which can lead to wellbore instabil- be 3750-5800psi, depending on fuid in in applied science at the University of ity. The operator needed a strong liner the well. Alaska-Anchorage with an emphasis on tieback interface with no reduction in ID Through the incorporation of the liner metallurgy. He earned an MBA from the and the ability to avoid tying liners back tieback into its’ well architecture, the University of Liverpool.

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